USDA Awards More Than $13 Million to Improve Food Safety Through Research, Education and Extension

Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188
October 1, 2008

WASHINGTON, October 1, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced $13.8 million awarded to support research, education and outreach for food safety. USDA awarded the grants in 19 states through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative.

"Most often, the prevention of food-borne illnesses comes through education and safe handling practices in the preparation of food," said Schafer. "Sound advice about food safety is based on good research to pinpoint potential pathways of contamination as well as effective solutions and safeguards."

Each year, USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) awards National Integrated Food Safety Initiative (NIFSI) grant funds so that sound, practical, science-based knowledge can be shared among teachers, scientists, health professionals, researchers, farmers, food processors, food service workers and all who impact the safety of the U.S. food supply. NIFSI grant funds are frequently used to develop education and outreach programs for consumers.

Researchers at Cornell University will receive $1,636,366 to investigate ways to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in the fields, at harvest, and during transportation, display and purchase. Project descriptions can be found online at www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/2008_competitive_
projects.pdf.

Fiscal Year 2008 NIFSI grants were awarded to:

Institution

Amount

University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff

$100,000

University of Arkansas

$599,521

Colorado State University

$579,612

University of Delaware

$596,847

University of Florida

$50,000

University of Georgia

$599,414

University of Hawaii

$487,619

Illinois Institute of Technology

$590,942

University of Illinois - Chicago

$599,042

University of Maryland - College Park

$599,264

Michigan State University

$50,000

Michigan State University

$600,000

Michigan State University

$558,764

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

$599,503

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

$50,000

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

$599,985

Cornell University

$1,636,366

North Carolina State University

$600,000

North Carolina State University

$364,626

North Carolina State University

$592,226

Ohio State University

$50,000

Oregon State University

$407,072

Pennsylvania State University

$555,819

Clemson University

$577,061

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

$597,399

Texas Tech University

$599,840

Virginia Tech

$584,224

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.